The Sebasticook Regional Land Trust plans to host a presentation by Todd Waldron, regional forester with the Ruffed Grouse Society, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Benton Grange, 29 River Road in Benton, this is the trust’s final event of the 2023 Speaker Series.

Waldron will present on the ecology and habitat needs of ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife dependent on young forest and early successional habitat.

According to Waldron, the decline of young forest and early successional habitats throughout the Northeast U.S. has been identified as a dire issue for decades, and wildlife that are highly dependent on diverse forest habitats in New York and New England have suffered severe population declines, notes a news release from Cheryl Daigle, SRLT executive director.

“Golden-winged warblers, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, snowshoe hare, and whip-poor-will are bellwethers of a much broader decline in forest habitat diversity. To bring grouse, woodcock, and dozens of other species back from the brink, we need to increase forest habitat diversity through forest management,” said Waldron.

Light refreshments will be served, and those interested in learning about the Benton Grange can stay afterward for a brief business meeting. For more information on the Benton Grange activities, call 207-453-4796.

The SRLT Speaker Series and outdoor events are always free and open to the public. A $5 donation is suggested for the Speaker Series talks.

For more information and to let the trust know one’s plans to attend, visit sebasticookrlt.org.

Check out other upcoming area events!